Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-24

OF Milwaukee.
The man possessing this enormous
weaiilard power Logan lie in Scotland
Eoa1ly seventy years ago. His father
WAS farmer in Elbow, Aberleenshirt.
alter studying at the parish school
Mitchell spent two years in law Office
Il ABERDEEN. Later he was clerk in Il
lanLing-house ct Ieterhead. In 1853
he came to this country and went TO
Milwaukee. where he took charge as
secretary Of the Wisconsin Marine and
Fire Insurance Company. which had
EcCn organized by George Smith, OF
Chicaao. also natiyeof hberieenshire.
who knew him there and induced him ID
come to America. 1t was tine era OF
western wildcat banks, bu. the banking
business which the insurance company
under Mr.. Mitchcl!s management WAS
authorized to conduct was carried on
in accordance with sound prin,i-
plcs and stood the severest pres
sure without weakening. More than q
million dollars OF certificates bearing
only the signatures of George Smith,
president, aud Alexander Mitchell were
out at one time, but they were always
paid in gold on presentation, and it has
been MIR. Mitchcll's claim that if any
ere still in circulation they can be re
deemed in com at the Wisconsin Ma
line and Fire Insurance Company
Bank. which was organized in 1872.
Mr.. Mitchells attention was given u
railroading early in his career. In
1913. before lie had been in the coun-
try nine years. and when he was only
thirty-one years old. he became a direc-
tor IN the Milwaukee and Wan
kesLa road. He fast became iden-
tilted with different roads III the
State. until in 1864 he WAS
elected president OF the Milwaukee and
St. Paul road, the foundation of tue
present immense system OF the Chi
caco, Milwaukee and ST. Paul, which
bGs 5,OC0 miles of track and IS noted as
being one OF the best-managed and
conducted systems not alone of the
Northwest, but of the United States.
IN 1869. there being some interests IN
the Chicago and Northwestern ron
which were identical with those OF the
st. Paul, Mr. Mitchell became presi-
dent also of the first named, and acted
for both lines as such until the summer
Of 1870, when, the interests having
been separated, be resigned from the
Northwtsteln system and devoted HIM
self entirely TO the st. Paul.
In politics Mr.. Mitchell was Demo
crst. Or;einally lie was 4 Wing. Then
he joinod the Republicans III electin5
MIR. Lincoln and prosecuting the war
Yc afto1warl Joined the Democrats ia
support Of President johnson. Mr.
Mitchell went 70 Congress in 1870 and
again in 1872, hut declined reelection.
lie was Que OF the delegates who nomi-
mated Mr. Tilden, and was a most
ardent supporter Of that statesmen;
His JOlitical views were moderate and
conservative.
The deceased was married in l6ti TO
Nar.ha Reed, daughter of Seth Reed,
a pioneer Of Milwaukee. He had one
ION. John l.. Mitchell, now forty-four
veaIs of age. Mr.. Mitchell was man
Of captivating social qualities within
he c,Icle.of lis intimate friends. He
never forgot the fact that he was Il
Scoichman. In 1859 be became the
first president OF the, Milwaukee st.
Andrews Society, whose annual picnic
and games are still held in the grove on
his farm, in the Eighth Warlof Milwau-
kee. His residence is one OF the finest
in the West, and the grounds surround
ing it ere the most beautiful in the
country outside OF the State OF New
York. Ee had been spending some
time on the beautiful plantationin Flo
rida, owned by him and Mrs. Mitchell
when seized by the illness which car
ried him OF. In personal appearance
Mr.. Mitchell WAS short and thick-set.
He had a luddy face, keen gray eyes,
end looked like man who enjoyed
life. His manners were somewhat
brusouc. Scotchman-like, but he was
true and ncbIe-hearted, as his country
-. -, ,,..,, orollv arp